U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Wind Program

Secretary Chu Announces Wind Program Funding Awards

May 6, 2009

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu today announced the selection of 53 new wind energy projects for up to $8.5 million in total DOE funding. These projects will help begin to address market and deployment challenges identified in DOE's 2008 report, 20% Wind Energy by 2030. A list of projects selected for funding, along with awarded funding amounts, can be found below.

Speaking via video at the WindPower 2009 Conference in Chicago, Secretary Chu announced selections in four topic areas: market acceptance, environmental impact, workforce development, and distributed wind technology. Selections of two additional topic areas (supporting wind turbine research and testing; and transmission analysis, planning and assessments) will be announced at a later date. More information on the "20% Wind Energy by 2030: Overcoming the Challenges" Funding Opportunity Announcement can be found in the EERE progress alert.

In related news, DOE has issued two Notices of Intent (NOI) to issue future Funding Opportunity Announcements for wind energy projects to be funded under the Recovery Act. The Notices are for wind turbine drivetrain research, development, and testing, and for wind power research and development carried out by university–industry consortia. Links to the Notices of Intent can be found on the Wind Program's Financial Opportunities page.

Selections are being announced today in four topic areas: market acceptance, environmental impact, workforce development, and distributed wind technology. Selections of two additional topic areas (supporting wind turbine research and testing; and transmission analysis, planning and assessments) will be announced at a later date. Award amounts listed below are subject to negotiation.

Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) – Genetic Approaches to Understanding the Population–Level Impact of Wind Energy Development on Migratory Bats – $99,933

Workforce Development

Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) – Power System Operation and Planning for Enhanced Wind Generation Penetration – Collaborative Work Force Development – $400,000

The Board of Regents of the UW System (Madison, WI) – A Continuing Education Short Course and Engineering Curriculum to Accelerate Workforce Development in Wind Power Plant Design, Construction, and Operations – $119,135